The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has launched its Youth in Business programme in Türkiye, building on its success in 12 other countries. The initiative aims to mobilise up to €250 million in financing to support young entrepreneurs under 35.
Backed by the Turkish government and the European Union (EU), the programme offers financial support, expertise, and business development services to address key challenges faced by young entrepreneurs, such as limited access to funding, experience, and market information.
According to the Bank, Türkiye faces persistently high youth unemployment, and the EBRD sees fostering youth-led businesses as a catalyst for economic growth. The programme will channel financing, technical assistance, and risk-sharing tools through local partner banks, which will then lend to youth-led micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
The Youth in Business programme is currently active in Central Asia, Egypt, Morocco and the Western Balkans, and is designed to make financing more accessible for businesses.
A major focus of the initiative is to aid economic recovery in regions hit by the February 2023 earthquakes, with 70% of the programme's funding set to support businesses in those areas.
At the launch event in Istanbul, Francis Malige, EBRD Managing Director for Financial Institutions, highlighted the programme’s rapid growth since its 2021 debut in Egypt, expanding to a €1 billion initiative across 12 countries.
“Türkiye’s greatest asset is its youth,” he said. “We believe this programme will thrive among the country’s dynamic and resilient young entrepreneurs.”
The launch also marked the commitment of initial Turkish banking partners, with Akbank, Şekerbank, and TEB joining the programme.
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